(L-R) Jamal Cummins, his wife, Shonnelle, and mother, Jocelyn L. Cannegieter, share a moment following a commencement ceremony held at Strayer University in Atlanta, Ga. (Contributed photo)

For Army Contracting Command's Jamal Cummins, education is a
family affair.

Cummins, a human resource specialist, Human Capital G-1,
Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, recently received his bachelor's
degree from Strayer University. At the same ceremony held at the Georgia Dome
in Atlanta, Cummins' mother, Jocelyn Cannegieter, received her master's
degree.

"It was an awesome experience," Cummins said.
"My mother always pushed us to get an education at a young age. Graduating
together was like icing on the cake."

Cannegieter graduated with honors with a degree in
accounting with a specialty in taxes. Cummins, who also holds a bachelor's
degree in biblical studies, concentrated on entrepreneurial studies.
Cummins said while he learned much in the classroom, he also learned valuable
lessons on time management outside of school.

"Without a doubt I learned the importance of using my
time wisely and that nothing is given to you in life," he said. "I
learned that from her. My mom has set the bar with her master's degree so now I
have to try to reach it."

Cannegieter set that bar high and always wanted to set an
example, she said.

"My impetus for starting was to show my children that
if I can do it, I knew they could do it," said the mother of three.
"I wanted to encourage them to get an education now and not to wait until
later. I wanted them to succeed. I wanted them to be proud of me."

The mother/son combo weren't the only ones earning degrees.
A week prior, Cummins' wife, Shonnelle, received her bachelor's degree from
Oakwood University.

Cummins said his education journey is not over. He plans on
taking six months off, then starting to work on his masters. His mother hasn't
rule out attending more classes, too.

"I always liked school. School is fun and I am not done
yet. The knowledge that I now have, no one can take that away from me,"
Cannegieter said.